Man appears in court over Prudhoe hit and run death

A man appeared at Newcastle Magsistrates’ Court yesterday charged with causing death by dangerous driving following an alleged hit and run in Prudhoe

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Kathleen Heslop who was killed walking her dog in Prudhoe

A man has appeared in court over the alleged hit and run death of a Northumberland dog walker.

David Paul Robinson was in the dock at Newcastle Magsistrates’ Court yesterday. The 26-year-old, of Woodhead Road, Prudhoe, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving; causing death while uninsured; dangerous driving; failing to stop; and failing to report an accident.

Kathleen Heslop, 64, was killed along with her beloved pet Trudy when they were struck by a car near her home in Eastwood Road, Prudhoe, on Saturday night.

Wearing a light blue T-shirt and pale-coloured trousers, Robinson, who had a shaved head and a tattoo on his neck, spoke only to tell the court his name, date and birth and address. No plea was entered. The dad-of-one, who worked on a farm in Prudhoe, stared forward with tears in his eyes the whole way through the short hearing.

The court heard the death by dangerous driving charge was indictable only and could only be heard at Newcastle Crown Court.

David Thompson, prosecuting, said all the charges were linked so they should all be sent to crown court together.

Alan Wilson, for Robinson, made no submissions.

Mr Thompson told the court: “On July 13, which was Saturday, shortly before 10.30pm, police received a report of a pedestrian collision.

“A 64-year-old lady was walking her dog on the B6395 Stonyflat Bank in Prudhoe.

“She was struck while crossing the road with her dog by a Saab car. She unfortunately died as a result of the collision.”

The court heard the Saab vehicle involved in the alleged hit and run was eventually found in a farmer’s field “a considerable distance away”.

Remanding Robinson in custody until July 30, when he will first appear at Newcastle Crown Court, District Judge Davinder Lachar said: “One charge is indictable only and these cases are linked, so I’m sending them to the crown court.”

Robinson’s family members in the back of court cried as he was led away in handcuffs.

Both Kathleen and Trudy, a miniature Schnauzer, were pronounced dead at the scene on Saturday.

A 28-year-old woman was originally also arrested in connection with the incident but was released without charge on Sunday.